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Last week the government’s Modern Methods of Construction champion, Mark Farmer, launched a report on how to bring MMC into the mainstream. This comes off the back of clear government intent to support MMC through the Affordable Housing Programme and further expected announcements.

Building Better is featured in the report as an example of what the authors believe is the key to unlocking MMC - aggregation and collaboration - and on 29 September, Building Better is launching its own vision document. This is the sector’s response to the challenge set out by the government and outlines how Kent landlord Golding Homes have joined 11 like-minded organisations, who have come together to deliver high-quality homes using MMC.

Building Better is driving collaboration and aggregation across the social housing sector by procuring, developing and learning together and there has never been a better time for other housing associations to get involved.

Tom Casey, Director of Development and Sales at Golding Homes said: “We are excited to be a key partner of Building Better which promotes the delivery of high quality and environmentally sustainable homes through the use of Modern Methods of Construction.”

Golding Homes has recently completed its first MMC scheme at The Mallards development with Keepmoat Homes in  Swanley , Kent. The houses at The Mallards were delivered to site from the Ilke Homes factory and craned into place. Tom Casey explained: “The factory production enabled quicker completion of the affordable housing. We’ve had some good customer feedback so far, and are pleased that the homes have a range of sustainable features that are leading to lower utility bills for residents”

Building Better homes will meet the highest sustainability and safety criteria while speaking to its members’ bottom lines. Homes will be delivered 50% faster than traditional build, aim for zero defects and have improved customer satisfaction levels through stronger engagement and fewer defects.

Scale of the opportunity

Building Better has approached the market with a pipeline of 800 homes, but the true number is much higher. The first sites will go through planning in January 2021 with an ambition to have five schemes complete by the end of 2021.

The combined pipeline of our membership over the next five years is over 30,000 and the procurement framework launched by the end of the year is the starting point for a long-term relationship with manufacturers. Feedback from members and residents will improve the design, delivery and quality of our homes with each iteration.

Building Better members pooling their pipeline and sharing best practice

• Advantage South West
• BPHA
• Catalyst
• Golding Homes
• Grand Union
• Halton Housing
• Livewest
• Metropolitan Thames Valley
• Nottingham Community Housing Association
• Raven Housing Trust
• Richmond Housing Partnership